Look into my Celtics Crystal Ball

[Celtic]

Now that the lottery has shown us it's darkest side and crushed our hopes of drafting the next NBA superstar, it's time to look to the trade winds for solace. Fear not fellow Celtics fans, in just two seasons this team will once again climb basketball's ultimate summit and contend for a championship yet again.

Here's how:

The Celtics will trade Jared Sullinger, the #6 pick, the Clippers first round pick, and their large trade exception for Kevin Love.

The Celtics will then trade Brandon Bass, Vitor Faverani and their 2015 second round pick for Omer Asik.

They will then play out the season, making the Playoffs but not being a real contender.

Then in the 2015 offseason, one of the league's premiere players will look at his surroundings and realize:

1. He's entering the final year of his contract.
2. His team can not get over the hump.
3. His team is strapped for cap space and cannot spend for a legit player to help put him over the top.
4. If he heads East, his Playoff road becomes that much easier.

That player will then quietly request a trade.

The Celtics will trade the expiring contract of Gerald Wallace, Kelly Olynyk and pieces, plus their entire stockpile of first round picks for Kevin Durant.

The Celtics will then move Jeff Green to the two, running with a lineup of:

Rondo
Green
Durant
Love
Asik


Is this a pipe dream, most likely, but it's possible. We could always try to get Carmelo if Durant is as unobtainable as he'll most likely be. Make it happen Danny.

[Lucky17]

Can't trade Sullinger and the TE for Love. The TE cannot be combined with additional salary to bring back a player with a salary larger than the value of the TE.

Also, why does Houston trade Asik for no salary relief at all? Do they really like Bass for some reason?

[Celtic]

Huh, didn't know that about the trade exception.

I think Bass actually fits in pretty well on the Rockets. He's a PF that doesn't require a lot of plays run for him, plays solid D and fills a void in their lineup. With Dwight drawing a lot of the interior defense, there would probably be many opportunities for his perimeter jumper.

[PhoSita]

I was with you until the Durant part.

I think your scenario would seem more plausible if you were talking about Marc Gasol . . . LMA . . . maybe Horford or Noah (in the East). 

Not so much Durant.

[KamikazeK]

It's nice to dream. That lineup would be pretty sick. 

[Big Sky Celtic Fan]

I think your crystal ball is a crystal meth ball.  T
that lineup would be awesome but I doubt Durant becomes a Celtic.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I think your crystal ball is a crystal meth ball.  T
that lineup would be awesome but I doubt Durant becomes a Celtic.

LOL

[droopdog7]

Another ridiculously one-sided, Celtic trade proposal thread.  The rockets aren't trading Asik for Bass.  Repeat after me:  Bass has near zero tade value.

[Evantime34]

Another ridiculously one-sided, Celtic trade proposal thread.  The rockets aren't trading Asik for Bass.  Repeat after me:  Bass has near zero tade value.

While I agree that Bass is not enough for Asik it is hyperbole to say he has no trade value.

Here is what Steve Bulpett said after canvassing general managers around the league regarding Bass:

"He?s heading into the last season of his deal, making very reasonable money ($6.9 million) for someone of his ability. Frankly, we?re surprised a contender didn?t make a stronger run at him at February?s trade deadline.

The fact he put his nose to the grindstone and played hard in such a crazy season has endeared him to both the Celts and opponents, who took notice."

So apparently a season reporter and the people he interviewed don't want to repeat after you, because you are wrong.

[Lucky17]

I was fully convinced that Portland was going to trade for Bass at the deadline, using some combination of Leonard, Claver, and some other non-guaranteed or expiring contracts.

[vl819]

Nice dream, but who in that starting 5 is going to play any reliable defense?

[kozlodoev]

Huh, didn't know that about the trade exception.

I think Bass actually fits in pretty well on the Rockets. He's a PF that doesn't require a lot of plays run for him, plays solid D and fills a void in their lineup. With Dwight drawing a lot of the interior defense, there would probably be many opportunities for his perimeter jumper.

He's also the player that Dwight didn't want to play with in Orlando, pretty much forcing the trade for Glen Davis. Seems you missed that part too.

[Kane3387]

Now that the lottery has shown us it's darkest side and crushed our hopes of drafting the next NBA superstar, it's time to look to the trade winds for solace. Fear not fellow Celtics fans, in just two seasons this team will once again climb basketball's ultimate summit and contend for a championship yet again.

Just bc we have the sixth pick doesn't mean we have no shot at a superstar. Damian lillard was picked sixth.

Randle Smart Gordon and Vonleh all have the tools and potential to be stars. Just like lillard had sbd has. It's not their fault they're not as hyped as the top three. Just like it wasn't Lillards fault he wasn't as hyped as MKG and Thomas Robinson.

[CoachBo]

Now that the lottery has shown us it's darkest side and crushed our hopes of drafting the next NBA superstar, it's time to look to the trade winds for solace. Fear not fellow Celtics fans, in just two seasons this team will once again climb basketball's ultimate summit and contend for a championship yet again.

Just bc we have the sixth pick doesn't mean we have no shot at a superstar. Damian lillard was picked sixth.

Randle Smart Gordon and Vonleh all have the tools and potential to be stars. Just like lillard had sbd has. It's not their fault they're not as hyped as the top three. Just like it wasn't Lillards fault he wasn't as hyped as MKG and Thomas Robinson.

Randle, perhaps.

The other three - not happening, especially not the hothead Marcus Smart.

If we end up with one of those three as the marquee move of the summer, the off-season will be an unmitigated disaster.

[SHAQATTACK]

I think your crystal ball is a crystal meth ball.  T
that lineup would be awesome but I doubt Durant becomes a Celtic.

LOL

Celtics salty crystal ball.               S